How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Error 15107 (When Installing the Latest Update)?

QuickBooks Error 15107 appears when the system cannot complete payroll or software updates. This error usually occurs due to damaged update files, inactive payroll subscriptions, blocked QuickBooks services like qbupdate.exe, incorrect Internet Explorer settings, or interference from antivirus or firewall programs. It may also result from damaged Windows system files. When this error occurs, the update process stops and shows the following message: 

“Error 15107: The update program cannot be initialized.” 

To fix the issue, users should restart the computer, confirm the payroll subscription is active, check the internet connection, repair QuickBooks, review browser settings, and adjust firewall or antivirus rules to allow QuickBooks functions. Regular updates, stable internet, and proper system settings help prevent this error and keep payroll operations running without interruptions.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

Restarting your system can help fix issues with QuickBooks payroll updates. Follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key or click Start.
• Click the Power icon at the bottom right.
• Select Restart.
• Or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete,
• Click the Power icon.
• Then select Restart.

Method 2: Configure Internet Explorer, Security & Firewall Settings

Follow these steps to adjust Internet Explorer’s security, privacy, and firewall settings for better browsing protection.

• Open Internet Explorer and go to Settings.
• Click on Tools, then select Internet Options.
• Go to the Security tab.
• The Internet Options Security window will appear.
• To adjust security settings:
  • Click a zone icon and move the slider.
  • For custom settings, click the zone icon > Custom level > choose options.
  • To reset, click Reset all zones to default level.
  • Go to the Privacy tab and set it to Medium.
  • Click Apply, then OK.

Method  3: Run Reboot.bat File

Use the steps below to run the reboot.bat file and update QuickBooks Desktop properly.

• Close QuickBooks Desktop.
• Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon on your desktop.
• Click Properties, then select Open file location.
• Find the reboot.bat file.
• Right-click the reboot.bat file and choose Run as administrator.
• When done, restart your computer.
• Open QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Click Update Now when prompted.
  • Otherwise, update it manually.
• Close and reopen QuickBooks Desktop.
• On the Update Service window, click Install Now.

Method 4: Install a Digital Signature Certificate

Follow these steps to install a digital signature certificate and ensure secure updates in QuickBooks.

• Go to C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks.
• Right-click on QBW32.exe and select Properties.
• Click the Digital Signatures tab and ensure Intuit is selected in the list.
• Click Details.
• In the Digital Signature Details window, click View Certificate.
• In the Certificate window, click Install Certificate.
• Click Next until Finish appears, then click Finish.
• Restart your system, open QuickBooks, and redownload the update.

Method 5: Run Quick Fix My Program & QuickBooks File Doctor

Use these tools from the QuickBooks Tool Hub to repair program, file, and network-related issues efficiently.

Quick Fix My Program

This tool closes background QuickBooks processes and runs a quick repair to fix program and company file issues.

• Located in the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Download and install the Tool Hub first.
• Fixes installation, update, and program access errors.
• Scans system files and resolves issues without harming your data.

QuickBooks File Doctor

This tool repairs common company file and network-related errors, such as:

• Data damage
• Windows or update issues
• Connection and network problems

1. Download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub from the official Intuit website.
2. Open the Tool Hub.
3. Go to the Program Problems tab.
4. Click Quick Fix My Program and let the process complete.
5. Go to the Company File Issues tab.
6. Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
7. Select your company file or browse to locate it.
8. Choose Check your file, then click Continue.
9. Enter the Admin password and click Next.
10. Wait for the scan to complete (may take several minutes).
11. Review the detailed repair report.

Note: The File Doctor tool automatically detects and fixes problems and provides a summary of issues and actions taken.

Method 6: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

The QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool fixes installation-related issues that can cause update errors like QuickBooks Error 15107.

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Go to the Installation Issues tab.
3. Click QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
4. Let the tool run a full scan (this may take up to 20 minutes).
5. After the scan completes, re-run the QuickBooks update.

Method 7: Reinstall QuickBooks in Selective Startup Mode & Switch Back to Normal Mode

Reinstalling QuickBooks in Selective Startup Mode prevents interference from third-party programs like antivirus or antispyware during the update process.

Step 1: Switch to Selective Startup Mode

1. Press Windows + R to open Run.
2. Type msconfig and click OK.
3. Under the General tab, select Selective Startup and check Load system services.
4. Go to the Services tab.
5. Check Hide all Microsoft services.
6. Click Disable all.
7. Uncheck Hide all Microsoft services.
8. Ensure Windows Installer is checked.
9. Click OK, then select Restart on the System Configuration window.

Step 2: Uninstall & Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

1. Uninstall QuickBooks from the Control Panel.
2. Reinstall it using the installer or installation file.

Step 3: Switch Back to Normal Startup Mode

1. Press Windows + R to open Run.
2. Type msconfig and click OK.
3. Under the General tab, select Normal Startup.
4. Click OK, then choose Restart when prompted.

Method 8: Download the Updates as an Administrator

Follow these steps to download QuickBooks updates with full administrator permissions for a smoother update process.

1. Close all company files and QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon.
3. Select Run as Administrator.
4. Click Yes when prompted with “Do you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer?”
5. Download the latest QuickBooks Desktop updates.

Note:
You can update QuickBooks in two ways:

• Automatic Updates – Enable auto-updates so the software installs updates automatically when available.
• Manual Updates – Download and install updates yourself.
  Download the latest Payroll Tax Table Update to ensure accurate tax rates and forms.

Note: QuickBooks Online Payroll updates tax tables automatically. No manual action is needed.

Method 9: Perform a QuickBooks Clean Installation

Perform a clean installation of QuickBooks and fix issues caused by damaged program files.

• Download the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool and save it to your desktop.
• Double-click the QuickBooks_clean_install_utility.exe file to run it.
• In the license agreement window, click I Accept.
• When prompted, select your QuickBooks version and click Continue.
• Click OK to confirm.
• The clean install process will remove damaged installation files and help resolve update or program errors.

Method 10: Configure the Firewall Settings to Add QuickBooks Exceptions

Step 1: Install QuickBooks Tool Hub

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub and save it to a known location.
3. Double-click the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and accept the License Agreement.
5. After installation, double-click the Tool Hub icon to open it.

Step 2: Run QuickBooks File Doctor

1. In the Tool Hub, go to the Company File Issues tab.
2. Click QuickBooks File Doctor.
3. When it doesn’t open, search “QuickBooks Desktop File Doc” and open it manually.
4. Select your company file or browse to find it.
5. Choose Check your file and network, click Continue.
6. Enter your QuickBooks admin password and click Next.
7. Wait for the scan to complete.

Note: Scan time may vary depending on file size (usually under 5 minutes).

Step 3: Configure the Firewall Manually

Configure your firewall settings and ensure QuickBooks has the necessary permissions to run without interruptions.

Create Inbound Rules for QuickBooks Ports

• Open the Start menu, search “Windows Firewall”, and open it.
• Click Advanced Settings.
• Right-click Inbound Rules, then choose New Rule.
• Select Port, click Next.
• Select TCP.
• Enter port numbers based on your QuickBooks version:
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377

To Find Dynamic Port:

• Open QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
• Go to Port Monitor, note your version’s port number.
• Click Next, select Allow the Connection.
• Mark all profiles, then click Next.
• Name the rule (e.g., “QBPorts2020”), click Finish.

Create Exceptions for QuickBooks Program Files

• Go to Advanced Settings in Windows Firewall.
• Right-click Inbound Rules, select New Rule.
• Choose Program, click Next.
• Select This Program Path, click Browse.
• Add each QuickBooks executable file one at a time:
  • AutoBackupExe.exe  
  • Dbmlsync.exe  
  • DBManagerExe.exe  
  • FileManagement.exe  
  • FileMovementExe.exe  
  • IntuitSyncManager.exe  
  • QBCFMonitorService.exe  
  • QBDBMgr.exe  
  • QBDBMgrN.exe  
  • QBGDSPlugin.exe  
  • QBLaunch.exe  
  • QBServerUtilityMgr.exe  
  • QBW32.exe  
  • QuickBooksMessaging.exe
• Choose Allow the Connection, click Next.
• Mark all profiles, click Next.
• Name the rule (e.g., “Exception_QBW32.exe”), click Finish.

Method 11: Check Shared Download Location and Remap the Drive

Follow these steps to check the shared download location and remap the drive to ensure QuickBooks updates download to the correct path.

1. Press Ctrl + 1 to open the Product Information window.
   • Note the mapped path (e.g., X:\FolderName\DataFileName.qbw).
2. Go to the Help menu > select Update QuickBooks > follow Solution 2.
3. In the Options tab:
   • When Shared Download = Yes, make sure the Download Location drive matches the Product Information path.
   • When Shared Download = No, ensure the Download Location matches the QuickBooks Installation Directory.
4. To fix an incorrect download location:
   • When Yes is selected, click No, then Save.
   •  When No is selected, click Yes, then Save.
5. To remap the drive:
   • Go to This PC / My Computer > select Map a Network Drive.
   • Choose a new drive letter not used by QuickBooks.
   • Click Browse, select the company file network folder, then click OK.
     Click Finish.
6. Open QuickBooks Desktop again:
   • Go to Help > Update QuickBooks > Options tab.
   • Turn Shared Download off, then on again.
   • Ensure the Download Location uses the new drive letter.
   • Click Save and Close.
7. Re-run the update.

Method  12: Turn On QuickBooks File Copy Service (FCS)

QuickBooks needs the File Copy Service (FCS) to run updates. If it’s off, updates may fail. Follow these steps to turn it on:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type COMPMGMT.MSC and press OK.
   • This opens the Computer Management window.
3. In the left panel, click Services and Applications, then select Services.
4. Scroll down and find Intuit QuickBooks FCS.
   Double-click it.
5. In the new window:
   • Set Startup type to Manual.
   • Click Apply, then OK.
6. Revalidate your payroll service key:
   • Go to the Employees menu in QuickBooks.
   • Click My Payroll Service > Activate Service Key.
   • Select your current payroll, click Edit, then Next until you see Finish. Click Finish.
7. Run the update again.
   • If error 15223 still appears, proceed to the next step and check your internet settings.

What are the Prerequisites to Fix QuickBooks Desktop  Error 15107?

1. Verify active QuickBooks Payroll service.
2. Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest version.
3. Ensure a stable internet connection.
4. Run QuickBooks as administrator.
5. Install all pending Windows updates.
6. Disable third-party antivirus or firewall.
7. Backup the QuickBooks company file.
8. Use a Windows admin account.

How to Identify QuickBooks Desktop Error 15107?

You can identify QuickBooks Error 15107 by these signs:

1. The message “Error 15107: The update program cannot be initialized” appears.
2. QuickBooks cannot download or install payroll or software updates.
3. The update process freezes or stops suddenly.
4. Payroll features are missing or show outdated tax tables.
5. The file qbupdate.exe does not run in the background.
6. The error appears during every update attempt.

How to Prevent QuickBooks Error 15107?

To prevent QuickBooks Error 15107:

1. Keep QuickBooks Desktop updated.
2. Maintain an active payroll subscription.
3. Update Windows and Internet Explorer regularly.
4. Add QuickBooks and qbupdate.exe to antivirus and firewall exceptions.
5. Do not interrupt the update process once it starts.
6. Always run QuickBooks as administrator.
7. Perform regular system checks to prevent file issues.
8. Use a stable and secure internet connection during updates.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for QuickBooks Desktop Error 15107?

You should seek professional help for QuickBooks Error 15107 if the error continues after standard troubleshooting steps, such as repairing QuickBooks, resetting updates, or checking system settings. You need our expert support if you cannot identify the root cause, face repeated update failures, lose data, or experience payroll issues. Also, if you’re not comfortable changing system files, registry entries, or security settings, it’s safer to contact us to prevent further problems.